Who are you?
I'm married, have been for 25 years. I was pretty adamant that I didn't want to have children until I must have suffered some major chemical imbalance in my mid-30s, then couldn't think of anything else but having one. The doctor told me I was pregnant at my first visit to talk to him about fertility testing. Of course, he thinks he's the best doctor ever - just had to speak with me and voila! After my first child, I thought I wanted ten...but if that could have been biologically possible, I would definitely have been mistaken as the Grandma, as I sometimes already am. I have two children, a 10-year old son and a 6-year old daughter; both are healthy, happy, and intelligent. I have a very supportive husband, who tries to get me to slow down, and “relax and have fun”. But I guess he doesn't realize that I'm always having fun! As far as my political orientation, I am a registered Independent, but have always voted Democrat... I am also, proudly, a second degree black belt in Songahm Taekwondo.

How long have you been riding and what do you ride?
Well, my riding experience is a little bit of déjà vu. The first bike I purchased was a Yamaha Seca 650 in the mid-80s. I had a friend who rode and I thought it would be fun to ride with her, so I bought a bike. And it was! However, I didn’t ride for very long and after a fairly long hiatus…almost 20 years, I met another friend who was dead set on wanting to ride her own…I thought once again, what fun it would be to purchase a bike and have a riding buddy…4 years later, and now on my third bike (2006 Yamaha V-Star 1100 Classic), I’m still riding when I can and it’s on the shortlist of things I really like to do.

Why did you start riding?
The reason I started to ride is the same reason I'm still riding. I guess, I’m a little bit of rebel at heart and I’m in love with the great outdoors. It really seems like the right combination. Riding satisfies my rebellious side and allows me to explore some of the beautiful countryside that I would not otherwise see, feel, and appreciate.

Why are you doing the Journey to Graceland?
That’s easy. This group of women is very diverse, but very similar in many ways. I appreciate the honesty, integrity, and full of fun nature that they all have…I can’t think of a better group of women to share such an exciting, new, experience with.

What, if anything, does Graceland represent to you?
Growing up, there is no doubt I listened to every one of his songs and watched every one of his movies and loved them all. But to me, this trip is not about Elvis or Graceland, or about a much needed vacation…maybe a little of the latter. It’s about a group of adventuresome women with a “yes, I can” attitude, that have glommed onto a fantastic excuse to ride to somewhere they have never been, fulfill a “make a wish” experience, and share in a journey that none will ever forget!

Name one obstacle you overcame as a child, and how that shaped you today.
For the most part, I had a very easy childhood. My dad expected a lot and gave me the will (even though, I am “a girl”) to drive myself to accomplish whatever I set my mind on. However, I’m not so sure that riding a motorcycle and riding in this ride is what he had in mind.

Name one thing that the Girlz of Graceland would be surprised to know about you.
Although since kids, I haven't had much time to be dive into my creative side, I used to secretly call myself a "garage artist". Many examples of my "art" using various media - glass, wood, paper, fabric, electricity, photography - are dispersed around my house.

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